This has been known for a while for my car, but we cannot seem to find the source of the leak. We know that the leak comes from behind the engine block, at the passenger side. My brother looked at the bottom and saw that the highest point at which the oil seems to be leaking is at the oil pan area. Could it be that the gasket needs replacing? He also mentioned that there is an aluminum section that is part of the oil pan that could be cracked we don't know for sure. (I'm not very good with car parts). Can anyone give me suggestions as to where this leak could be coming from? As I said, so far our theory is the oil pan, gasket, and/or the aluminum part above the oil pan. Thank you.
Start simple: The oil filter and oil pressure warning light sensor are in this area. Before you start pulling anything apart, I'd ensure your oil filter is tightened properly and has a serviceable gasket. The gasket should be changed out during each oil filter change. Oil from the filter can dribble down to the pan.
To properly trace the source of any oil leak, clean and degrease the affected area and then look for the tell tale oil tracks.
We replace the oil filter with a new one every oil change so the oil filter should not be the problem. Is there a gasket surrounding the place that the oil filter connects to or is the gasket built in on the oil filter?
The oil filter should come with a circular, thick rubber gasket that fits snugly in a groove. However, the mating surface between that gasket and the oil filter housing should be checked for smoothness.
(I have also seen instances where the old gasket was not removed by mistake (two gaskets stacked on each other) but they tend to leak violently when under running pressure. )
If the oil filter is correctly installed and tightened, have a look at the pressure switch near it (about level with the top of the filter, more towards center of car.)
Oh okay, I'll have that checked as well. What about the oil drain plug? My brother said it has a gasket attached to it and he said it should be replaced every oil change. We haven't replaced the gasket in a while now, maybe start with that?
If the oil drain plug was the issue ykur oil.leak would be right in sight and coming from the lower part of the pan where the drain plug is, not higher up on the pan.
And if that's not the case, take it to get an oil change and make sure they change the drain plug gasket.
Afterwards, clean everything that is oily, drive it about, and check for a leak or drip!
Will check the pressure switch, seems to be located near where the leak is coming from. We just got an oil change (synthetic oil for the win!) but didn't replace the gasket, will replace it in next oil change for sure (or just get a whole new drain plug from ford to have a new start then just get new gaskets after that). I don't trust the parts in this car as we got it used a few years ago so any "new" problem that arises, we don't try to just replace gasket, we try to replace the whole related part ...
If the gasket is metal then keep using it unless cracked or deformed, it will outlast the car. Nylon or plastic ones will spread or crack, change them from time to time. Not rocket science, just look at it............
I can not even find the oil pressure sensor. The car leaks from the passenger side of the engine. I replaced a brand new oil filter and the mechanic tell me they may have to remove the timing belt I just installed.
Ford Focus is a nice little car as long as you don't have to work on it.
david5300, do you have the same engine as the OP?
If so, the oil pressure sensor is an inch or two from the oil filter, closer to the passenger side. $20 part and not that bad a repair. Disconnect the wiring plug, get a deep 24mm socket, remove leaky sensor, install good sensor, reconnect plug.
I left out the contortions required to wrap your arms around the axle while you're doing it...and I recommend removing the oil filter for better access, but your call on that. If you're lucky, the original installer left the plug facing away from the filter so you actually have room to press the little tang in to remove the plug easily.
There are many much worse cars to work on...early Renault 5s, for example, where you had to remove the alternator to change the oil filter.
On the 2002 Zetec, the oil filter is near the passenger side, and the pressure sensor is inboard of it - toward the driver's side.
If you're lucky, the original installer left the plug facing away from the filter so you actually have room to press the little tang in to remove the plug easily.
I was able to rotate the connector to take it off - but I'm not sure if I was supposed to be able to do that, or if that was b/c the switch was already broken.
A Wonder of Engineering in some regards, more often you wondered WHY they ever engineered them as they did. French cars can make Italian cars look German.
I have replaced the valve cover gasket and still seem to have a leak that goes on to the exhaust manifold. terrible smell. Is there something else on this Ford focus engine that would leak below the valve cover on to the exhaust?
All depends where it's leaking onto the exhaust, from the valve cover onto the top of the exh. isn't the only possibility with the pipes running beneath the engine.
You'll have to look to see where oil is getting on it.
I think I need a 24 mm Deep Socket to remove it, but I don't have one - and I didn't want to order one and find out it's a 25 mm that I needed.
I ordered the switch. Once it comes in, I should be able to see what size wrench it needs and order one.
At that point, I might just need to tighten the existing switch, but the switch was under $20, the car has 147K miles on it, and it's about as easy to replace it as tighten it, so I'll be replacing it.
I have the same vehicle/engine that had an oil leak for several years. Had the vehicle repaired a couple of weeks ago as the oil got into the ignition system somehow and was causing engine misfires. The valve cover gasket was replaced. So far, no leaks.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Focus Fanatics Forum
5.8M posts
189.1K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to Ford Focus owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about SVT performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!